Tire-protector.



110.871,575. PATRNTRD Nov. 19, 1907.

W. T. DORGAN.

TIRE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED PEB,11, 1907.

2' /MT'gQM/INVENTOR ATTORNEY `STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

WILLIAM T. DORGAN, F PEORIA, ILLINIS, ASSIGNR TO WILLIAM J. WICKES AND ARTHUR D. EDDY, BOTHl OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN.

i TIRE-PROTECTOR.

' doherebydeclare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

.such as will enable others skilled in the'art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This mventlon 1s a t1re protector and re- I' lates more particularly to protective coverings for pneumatictires, such as are used on automobiles and other vehicles.

The objects of the invention are first, to provide a tire protector adapted to iit over the tread of the tire and retain its'position when the tire is inflated without the aid of external fastening means. Secondly, to so constructl the edges or beads of the protector that they Will, while seizing the sidesl of the tire with firm close pressure, yet be capable of yielding to the expanding and contracting movements or working of the tire without liability ofcausing the reinforcing means embedded in the beads of the protector to` than the .tread (2) of the protector. The

cut through or loosen.

The improvement consists in the construction ofthe protector and particularly in the construction of its edges or beads.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a deflated tire with the protector in place, the tire being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a similar cross section showing the tire inflated and under pressure,l as when the weight of the vehicle rests upon it.

(1) is the tire and (2) is the protector.

`The protector consists in a sheath of rubber or other suitable material, approximately semicircular in cross section and adapted to slip over the tire while the tire is deflated. When the tire is inilated the beads or ed es (3) of the protector are forced outwardly y the expanding tire, and the beads or edges by their resistance to such outward pressure, grip the sides of the tire hrmly. The protector requires no other fastening means.

To overcome certain difficulties heretofore experienced, namely-weakening of the bead or edge of the protector and conse uent loosening of its grip upon the tire, resu ting in letting dirt and water in between the pro- Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 11. 1907. Seria1No.'356.841.

Patented Nov. 19, 1907.

M improved construction insures that the i' bea s or edges of the protector will be as durable as the 'tread or body of the protector itself. Heretofore the weakening of they beads or edges of the tire protector has been a source of annoyance and expense to users.

In my improved construction I have reinforced the protector as follows-Ant',r desired number of layers of canvas or similar material (2a) extend the entire circumference of the inner side of the protector. At the edges of the protector the canvas encircles an elon ated vulcanized rubber bead (3a). T e bead (3a) is vulcanized to the tread (2) so that the complete protector is in a single piece. Extending the whole length of this bead and vulcanized into it to'form a core (3b) are a number of strips of tough fibrous material such as canvas or cloth.

Thevulcanized rubber bead (3a) is preferably of a tougher or less flexible material bead is preferably of the form shown in the drawings, being of elongated cross section, the lower portion of the bead being beveled and theouter beveled face being overlapped by the material of the tread (2).

I have found in practice that the edge or bead of a tire protector of the class here described is subject to excessive tearing or twisting strains, and that round beads reinforced with wire or similar material rapidly wear out, because of'themetal core becoming loose in the vulcanized rubber that surrounds it. The core (3b) of the bead (3a) in my invention not only provides the necessary tensile strength for the bead (3a), but becomes an actual and inte ral part of the bead. It can not therefore, ecome loose, no matter how much the bead is subjected to twisting or tearing strain.

The elongated form of the bead is of especial advantage in holding the protector in place. I prefer to make the bead, as shown in the drawings, of such contour on its inner surface that it will engage the tire only at its edge (3), leaving a clearance or relief between the tire and protector just below the 55 tector and the tire, I have devised a conl edge (3), as shown at (3). There is therewavs a Vtight close contact between the edge subjectcd to in use.

v(3)of the protector and the side of the tire,`

no matter what distortion thc vtire may be Great intensity of pressure at ,the line of contact is thus secured and the joint so formed is tight. When the tread of the tire flattens slichtly under the load of the vehicle, the edge F3) of the protector moves up a very small amount on the periphery of the tire, butunder no circumstances will it spring away from the tire and admit dirt or water ybetween the tire and protector. This feature is of the greatest importance in practical use of tire protectors and arises from the construction of the elongated relatively hard interiorly relieved bead (3) which gives clearance between the tire and the protector, as above described, so that the-grip of the protector on the tire is unaffected by distortion of the tire.

In practice I prefer to make the tread of the protector of a material best suited for tire treads, such as com aratively soft rubber, but the bead (3a) prefer to make of harder and stiffer vulcanized rubber, so that the bead will hold its shape and preserve the clearance (3C) under an amount of distortion to which the tire is hable to be subjected in use.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, What I claim as new is 1. A tire protector comprising a sheath of suitable material, approXimately-semi-circu- 'lar in cross-section, the edges of said sheath being curved on 'its inner surface and dapted to grip the tire With the'edge of the 3. A tire protector comprising a tread portion, elongated. beads formed integral with the tread portion and .adapted t0 rip the sides of the tire with the edges ofthe eads.

4. A tire protector comprising a sheath of suitable material, approximately semi-circul'ar in cross-section, the edges of said sheath being formed with a bead of elongated cross-section, said bead being made of less exible material than the tread, and curved on its inner surface and adapted to grip the tire with the edge of the bead.

5. A tire protector comprising a tread portion, a bead on each edge thereof, said beads having their inner faces recessed, the edges of the beads adapted to grip the tire.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature 65 in presence of tWo Witnesses.

. WILLIAM T. DOR-GAN.

Witnesses:

ALFRED W. Nomns, WILLIAM J. Mrenns.v 

